TECHNICAL TEXTILE OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW
What are technical textiles? Uses of technical textiles Materials & properties PPE Innovations in PPE

Technical textiles
A technical textile is a textile product manufactured for non-aesthetic purposes, where function is the primary criterion (source Wikipedia) Not fashion Not home textiles Not uphostery

Technical textiles
Most important sector in the EU textile industry Use In contact with human body
Medical textiles Protective clothing

Not in contact with human body / industrial use

Construction Automotive Filtration Insulation

Classification

Classification

Distribution of Technical Textiles

Materials
Classical textile fibres Cotton Viscose Polyester New materials Nomex/Kevlar PBI PP HDPE (Dyneema)

Properties
General properties Very strong Durable / abrasion resistant Chemically inert Flame retardant Special properties Anti static Anti microbial Insect repellent Anti soiling Water repellent Waterproof

Technical fabrics

Non wovens

Grow areas Technical Textiles

Grow areas

PPE Functionality
PPE is much more than textile materials PPE has added functionality Functionalites are multiple: protection identification commercial communication discrimination fashion

PPE Personal Protective Equipment

Major grow market for technical textiles Many application areas Company wear Medical uniforms Police uniform Fire brigade Military clothing Europe leading in PPE PPE development stimulated by EU leadmarket initiative Research and development Public procurement as launching market

Fire brigade
Functionality most important Properties Flame retardant Insulation Mechanical protection Water proof

Company wear
Where fashion meets functionality Main functions Recognisable Representative Comfort Easy to clean Durable

Medical uniforms
Focus on functionality Easy to clean Anti microbial properties Comfort, mechanical Thermo physiological properties
Heat and moisture transfer

Hydrophobic Chemical resistance

Alcohol, disinfectants

Police uniforms
Functionality and protection Main features Recognizable Representative Protection weather Comfort Good thermo physiological properties Easy to clean

Soldiers
Main functionality: protection Mechanical protection (bullet proof, anti stabbing) Foul weather proof Chemical resistant Camouflage

Main problems in PPE

Comfort and heat stress Freedom of movement Weight Tactile precision

Heat balance
Humans function best at a core temperature of 36-39 C (homeotherm) At elevated temperatures risk of heat stroke Can be lethal At low temperature risk of under cooling

Koud

Warm

Can be lethal as well

Factors influencing heat balance

Individual Properties & Regulation

Environment

Heat balance

Activity

Clothing

Work, individual and regulation

Heat production at rest:
50 W - 200 W (50 W/m2 - 100 W/m2)

Heat production when working:

750 - 2000 W (375 - 1000 W/m2)

Thermo regulation:
Physiology - acclimatization Behavior rest, ventilation, cooling

Production sweat: 1-3 l/h

( max. 675 W tot 2025 W cooling), but: Clothing reduces sweating efficiency

Impermeable Clothing: Efficiency 0% PPE might need to be impermeable!

Insulation by clothing
Directly related to thickness Depending on air flow under and through cloting Depending on the total area covered by clothing Depending on total effective surface

What clothing is needed?

Modeling en Simulation

User-oriented (functional) development of PPE

COMFORT: - Freedom of movement - Ventilation - Sizing and Fit PHYSICAL STRAIN: - Heat insulation - Moisture regulation TASK: - Bush fire / House - Working posture - Working time PROTECTION: - Fire - Ballistic - Climate

CHOICE

PRE-SELECTION

STANDARDS,
(Occupational Laws)

PROTO-TYPES

MATERIALS

Aspects in the development of PPE

Individual Working conditions Task

Training & Education

PPE Development
Information

New Materials & Technology

Safety

Testing and evaluating with human subjects at TNO

Climatic chambers
Warm, Hot, Humidity, Cold, Rain, Radiation Toxic Whole system CB protection

Ergometers
Treadmill, bicycles, arm work, rowing

Metabolism and Physiology

Breathing Analysis, Heart Rate, Temperature, Sweat Rate, Blood Flow, Etcetera

Ergonomics Test series Quantify Performance Loss Thermal Physiology Modelling

Example: Fire brigades

Eisen brandweerkleding: EN 469

Flame spread test (materiaal) Warmtetransport - flame (materiaal) Warmtetransport - radiation (materiaal) Isolatie stof (materiaal) Trek- en scheursterktes (materiaal) Water- en vloeistof-dichtheid (materiaal) Zichtbaarheid (pak) Dampdoorlatend (materiaal) Voldoen deze eisen voor het maken van functionele brandweerkleding ?
Warmteisolatie Dampweerstand Vochtregulatie Bescherming Opvallendheid Bewegingsbeperking

Good design fire fighters clothing ?

Functies van Kleding

Mode & Commercie Bescherming Communicatie, Identiteit & Differentiatie Reductie weerstand Sterkte & duurzaamheid Platform voor middelen Thermische balans

Influence of protective clothing

Hinderance of movement Increased work load Less efficient communication Decrease of comfort Reduces work capability

Man in protective clothing

Protection Thick clothing Many layers Less movement Equipment Standing still Static
Protection

Performance Less (no) clothing Few layers Movement and work No equipment Movement, speed Dynamic, Flexible
Performance